The Lakers, today, as an association are, without a doubt, not sleeping easy. “I’ll be in charge of my destiny”, Forward Pau Gasol said on Thursday. “This could be my last day with the Lakers”. Gasol, of course speaking of becoming a free-agent this July, was one of a number of players who individually met with Coach Mike D’Antoni and General Manager Mitch Kupchak in a round of exit interviews at the Lakers practice facility.
Gasol at times through-out the horror story of a season, seemed obviously out of place and frustrated on D’Antoni’s floor in a heavily guard-favored offense, leading many to find reason in this as being the rationale for the Lakers’ misadventure.
Despite having admitted to running into misunderstandings with D’Antoni over the last 2 years, Gasol was quoted saying, “I see myself playing several more years at a high level” and would “listen closely” if the Lakers came calling in the coming months with a contract offer.
As typical as a European big man there is, Gasol who turns 34 in July, still has miles left on him. Very effective miles at that. However, the Spaniard knows he will have to take a considerable pay cut in order to join a team with championship intention as more teams are over the salary cap and another $19.3 million salary season will not be securable.
The Lakers, of course, have an immense load of money to blow but with a pursuit for Kevin Love sometime next year and superstar Kevin Durant in 2016, the question going through the mind of the Lakers and its management is most likely, is Pau Gasol worth it?
Now with D’Antoni, Gasol and the Lakers organization in a three-way tug of war, who will emerge successfully? Is it possible for Los Angeles to put aside egos and status and do what will best benefit the team in the short AND long run?
All I can say is that it is still perhaps a little early to prepare for good-byes.
Photo Courtesy of Rick Bowmer/Associated Press